Conexión's 20 under 20 for 2014

By By Melissa Rentería

on May 22, 2014 4:30 AM

Conexión searched for the best and brightest of San Antonio’s young Latino community. Teachers, coaches, parents and counselors submitted their nominations. The results were impressive. Congratulations to these young San Antonians — all younger than 20 — who are doing their part to make their schools, neighborhoods and city a better place. less

Conexión searched for the best and brightest of San Antonio’s young Latino community. Teachers, coaches, parents and counselors submitted their nominations. The results were impressive. Congratulations to ... more

Conexión searched for the best and brightest of San Antonio’s...photo-6341124.86252 - |ucfirst

Nizhoni Begay, 16

School: Incarnate Word High School

Honors: The young singer was selected as one of 20 artists in the state by the Texas Commission on the Arts to join its Young Masters Program this year. In 2013, she was part of the National Hispanic Institute’s Great Debate program and was awarded All-State Orator honors.

About her: The Tucson, Arizona, native has been performing mariachi music since she was 7 years old. “I love mariachi so much,” she says. “It’s so powerful. It creates such an emotional connection.” She’s a member of the Mariachi Corazón de San Antonio, an all-star high school mariachi group that represents the city of San Antonio, and she’s mentored younger mariachi students. Her mariachi skills earned her first-place honors in the high school vocal competition in the prestigious Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza in 2012.

Of note: He’s on the executive committee of his Kappa Sigma fraternity and serves as a Greek representative with the Student Government Association.

About him: Active in community service work since his early teens, Ivan organized his fraternity to volunteer with For The Kids, which provides emotional and financial support to local families battling childhood cancer. It’s the largest student-run philanthropy in South Texas. The fraternity logged 720 community service hours earlier this year working with its annual dance marathon fundraiser. Ivan, a native of Colombia, was urged by his older sister, Diana, to join organizations at UTSA. “It’s made me realize why I’m here and what I can give back,” Ivan says of his volunteer work.

Of note: As the 2014 Reina de la Feria de las Flores, she raised $35,000 for college scholarships and logged more than 1,000 hours of community service, often visiting schools to promote education.

About her: Marisol is a former Girl Scout and varsity volleyball player. She plans to attend Texas Tech University this fall to study hotel and restaurant management, following in the footsteps of her older sister, who also is studying there and pursuing the same degree. Marisol, who’s active in her church, also works at her family’s restaurants, getting an early start on her intended career. She’s worked as a hostess and helped organized the party calendar. “I understand what the business is all about,” she says.

Of note: An accomplished dancer, Madelene is a senior company member of the San Antonio Metropolitan Ballet, and in 2013 was accepted to the prestigious Joffrey Ballet School in New York. Also last year, she was overall winner in the “Our Part of Town” city-wide talent competition in her age category. Earlier this year, she was awarded a full scholarship to study at the National Choreography Intensive at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.

About her: Dancing since age 4, Madelene plans to study dance this fall at the University of California-Irvine. Her passion for dance extends to her work in the community. She’s volunteered with various programs to expose elementary students to the arts by teaching dance. “It feels so good to love something,” she says of dance.

Madelene Hall, 17
School: North East School of the Arts Of...photo-4583457.86252 - |ucfirst

Karen Jimenez, 16

School: Health Careers High School

Of note: She’s been an aide in a summer program with the Girl Scouts for the past four years. She’s earned her bronze and silver awards with the organization and is working toward her gold award. She was the first freshman at her school to participate in the state competition of Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA). She also competed at the state level this year. She’s been selected to study with the Voelcker Biomedical Research Academy, a college-preparatory program that partners with UT Health Science Center.

About her: Coping with serious medical issues at a young age, including treatment for autoimmune diseases, sparked Karen’s interest in pursuing a career in the medical field. “I understand a lot of the terms since it’s something that I’ve had to deal with, that I’ve had to overcome,” she says. “I enjoy learning about it.”

Of note: Active in his school’s Project Inspire program, Nicodimus is on track to complete his third community project with the program — a children’s mural focusing on STEM principles. As the project’s executive director of logistics and operations, he’s coordinated the work of students and managed the crews as they worked. He’s also a founding member of his school’s student ambassador program and is active with the National Hispanic Institute student programs.

About him: Last year, Nicodimus, who would like to be a lawyer, started an online business that sells items purchased at pawn shops, flea markets and garage sales. In three months, he says, the business did a little more than $22,000 in sales. Nicodimus says he searches for items that are collectibles and then targets online groups who would be interested.

Of note: An avid athlete since middle school, Gladys has served as the captain of her school’s varsity soccer, cross country and track teams. She’s a member of the National Honor Society and is vice-president of her student council.

About her: Gladys, a San Antonio native, wants to pursue a career in law enforcement. A career in the FBI is her ultimate goal. Her interest in law enforcement has been fueled by her involvement in the Explorers program with the San Antonio ISD Police Department. She credits the program with helping her overcome shyness and become more self-confident, which she says was lacking because of academic challenges she had to overcome when she was younger. “It’s been a wonderful experience,” she says of being an Explorer. “It’s helped me so much.”

Of note: Molina has studied film throughout high school, where she is the director of Ramvision, the school’s daily news broadcast. She’s also worked on several short films, including directing a documentary, titled “Phillip Anthony’s Miracle,” for March of Dimes that chronicled one woman’s journey as she cared for her premature baby.

About her: A native of Puerto Rico, Thais learned to speak English four years ago, often practicing pronouncing words while watching TV. Thais works about 20 hours a week as an assistant manager at a fast-food place. “I leave school around 3:10, and by 3:30 I’m clocking in at work,” she says, adding the experience of juggling school and part-time work while learning to speak English has taught her that determination is vital for achieving goals. Her latest goal is to be a film director, and she plans to continue studying film by enrolling at Northwest Vista College this fall.

Of note: Isaiah’s numerous accolades include being valedictorian of his Pre-Freshman Engineering Program (PREP) class, competing at state competitions in debate and speech, and being accepted to various academic and leadership programs, including the National Hispanic Institute. He’s served as his school’s historian and is active with its student ambassador program.

About him: Though he wants to study urban planning — he’d like to attend Stanford University and is thinking about a career in city planning — Isaiah has shown a knack for business. He and his family are what he calls “extreme couponers.” He’s been known to look for bargains using coupons and store sales, and later selling the items at family garage sales for a profit. The experience, he says, has taught him a lot about finances.

Of note: An accomplished film student, Asaiah has been awarded tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships to several universities. She’s decided on Emerson College, where she’ll study film in the school’s honor program. Asaiah’s films have screened at the San Antonio Film Festival, SAY Sí, Fotoseptiembre and McNay Art Museum.

About her: Asaiah’s four-year involvement with SAY Sí’s media arts program has benefited her in many ways, she says. A shy child, she joined SAY Sí at her mother’s urging. “I’m not the person I was four years ago,” says Asaiah, who will graduate high school a year early because she’s already met the requirements. This summer, she’ll teach film to middle school students at SAY Sí.

Of note: A member of the National Honor Society, Latin Club and Mu Alpha Theta math honor society, Pulido has competed in UIL spelling and vocabulary competitions. She’s a flutist in her high school band, teaches catechism and Bible study classes at her church and recently earned her Dental Assistant Certification to practice in Texas.

About her: This fall, Blanca will attend UTSA, where she’s been accepted on a full scholarship to the university’s Top Scholar program, which is geared toward high-caliber students who have demonstrated academic and community success. Blanca’s interest in math and science was sparked by her involvement in the Pre-Freshman Engineering Program (PREP), which she says helped her focus and learn how to compete academically.

Of note: Kameron has logged more than 100 volunteer hours at the San Antonio Zoo in the past year. His other community service work includes feeding the homeless, coordinating book drives and mentoring through after-school programs. He’s also active in school, serving as yearbook editor, class president and running track and cross country.

About him: Kameron credits his part-time job tutoring elementary students with helping him stay focused on his academics and setting priorities. “You learn more when you teach it,” says Kameron, who’d like to study political science in college. His goal is to be a lawyer or to work in government, a place where he says he can help people by enacting change.

Of note: She’s competed in the National Hispanic Institute’s Collegiate World Series and Great Debate programs, while being active in her school’s debate and academic decathlon teams. Her school activities go beyond the classroom. She’s a member of the school choir and is a member of the varsity soccer team.

About her: This fall, Claudia plans to attend Boston University, where she’ll study Latin American studies and political science. Her interest in that field grew after she first competed in the Tournament of Champions World Scholar’s Team at Yale University two years ago. She qualified to compete there two years in a row. Claudia credits her parents with helping her succeed academically. “I never took education for granted,” she says.

Of note: Jakob’s work in film has been recognized by the San Antonio Film Commission’s Neighborhood Film Project and the local 48-Hour Film Project. Through various internships and part-time jobs, he’s worked with award-winning filmmakers and several well-known artists, including Girl In A Coma and actor Jesse Borrego.

About him: A drummer in his school’s rock band and president of the school’s film production team, Jakob’s love for creative expression started when he was making home movies with his brother while in middle school. “Everybody watches movies. Everybody can relate to it,” he says. Jakob’s passion for filmmaking earned him full scholarships to two colleges. He’s decided to attend KD College in Dallas, where he’ll major in film production.

Of note: Her community work as Miss Inspire in the Court of Miss Cibolo organization included mentoring middle school and high school students. She’s a founding member of the Lights for Life organization, which mentors young people on the dangers of drugs, bullying and suicide. She often visits schools and churches to talk about these issues.

About her: After finding a lump in her breast last year, Rebecca has become a vocal advocate for breast self-exams, especially among young women in their teens and early ‘20s. The lump turned out to be benign, but the experience convinced Rebecca that she could use what she learned to help others. “I did the research and no one really targets girls my age about the importance of self-examinations,” says Rebecca, who’d like to deliver that message to high school health classes. Rebecca, who is studying computer science, wants to continue spreading the word on issues important to her. “I think it’s our duty to serve our community,” she says. “I certainly want to do my part.”

Of note: The accomplished dancer is also active at her church and is a photojournalist for the school’s newspaper. A senior member of the San Antonio Metropolitan Ballet, she’s been recognized for two years in a row as emerging choreographer by the Regional Dance America/Southwest, an invitation-only dance workshop.

About her: Jodi says she’d like to combine her passion for dance with the creative satisfaction she gets from photography. She’s accepted a scholarship to study dance at Texas Christian University this fall. She’d like to teach dance, perform with a dance company and possibly work for a dance magazine. Jodi says her passion for dance has meant sacrificing other activities, including spending time with friends. “I have had to give up some things,” she says. “But, I can’t imagine not having dance in my life, not having something that I love this much.”

Of note: A graduate of Highlands High School, where he was class valedictorian, Aaron already has received academic honors during his first year in college. He’s a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and is a supplemental instruction leader at UTSA’s Tomás Rivera Center for Student Success. Aaron was awarded the Greehey Family Foundation endowed scholarship for first-generation college students. He chose to attend UTSA so he could earn dual bachelor’s and master’s in accounting.

About him: Aaron credits his work mentoring younger students through various high school programs with showing him that he has skills that would make a good teacher. He would like to teach after college, but he hasn’t ruled out working as an accountant and having his own business. Aaron wants to serve his community by showing young students that education is key to success. “I saw education as my way up,” he says.

Of note: She’s been captain of her school’s softball team, and she’s played on her school’s basketball and volleyball teams. She’s a member of the National Honor Society and is active at her church and in community service, including the Komen Race for the Cure.

About her: This fall, Miranda plans to attend Texas Tech University, where she’ll study sports science. She wants to be a physical therapist, a goal that was influenced by her involvement in sports. “It made me want to help other athletes,” she says. Miranda says having to balance academics with sports taught her to be disciplined and focused. “It kept me on track for my classes, that’s for sure,” she says.

Of note: She’s been active in the mock trial and debate teams at her school and through the National Hispanic Institute, serving as head coach for her team during the NHI’s Great Debate competition earlier this year. She’s a member of the National Honor Society and was named her school’s Academic Athlete of the Year in 2012. She’s participated in volleyball, basketball and track at her school, where she’s also served as vice-president of the Student Council.

About her: An equestrian competitor for 10 years, Ilana says that experience has taught her confidence. It’s also fueled her competitive spirit. “You don’t see too many Latinas at the competitions. I’m usually the only one,” she says. “That makes me want to work harder. I know I have something to prove.”

Of note: Monica is studying interdisciplinary studies. She loves working with children and wants to teach elementary students.

About her: As a high school senior, Monica won the Kohl’s Kids Who Care award for creating Knit 4 the Cure, an organization she founded after her older sister’s breast cancer was diagnosed. She knitted several hats for her sister. “I really got into it after seeing how happy it made her,” she says. Monica then recruited a group of friends to knit more hats they could donate to cancer care centers for patients who’d lost their hair from cancer treatments. In less than a year, Monica’s group had donated more than 300 hand-knitted hats. “It was a life-changing experience,” she says. “Anything that makes someone that happy is worth it.”

Conexión searched for the best and brightest of San Antonio’s young Latino community. Teachers, coaches, parents and counselors submitted their nominations. The results were impressive. Congratulations to these young San Antonians — all younger than 20 — who are doing their part to make their schools, neighborhoods and city a better place. less

Conexión searched for the best and brightest of San Antonio’s young Latino community. Teachers, coaches, parents and counselors submitted their nominations. The results were impressive. Congratulations to ... more